have alternative qualifications and experience acceptable to the Dean of Dentistry (in considering an applicant's qualifications, regard will be given to the detail of the course of study followed, as well as the applicant's performance).

Applicants whose previous qualifications do not include the degree of Bachelor of Dental Technology will be required, as a prerequisite for the thesis, to have passed a suitable paper in research methodology (such as PHCY 506).

Structure of the Programme

A candidate whose qualification for admission to the programme is a postgraduate diploma (other than the Postgraduate Diploma in Dental Technology) or equivalent may be exempted from papers to a maximum of 60 points, provided that the candidate's previous study is directly relevant to the proposed and approved programme of study.

The programme of study, the topic of the thesis, and the supervisors of the research, shall be approved by the Faculty of Dentistry.

A candidate may not present a thesis which has previously been accepted for another degree.

For the thesis, the research should be of a kind that a diligent and competent student should complete within one year of full-time study.

Duration of the Programme

A candidate shall normally follow a programme of study for the equivalent of not less than two years of full-time study and not more than three years of full-time study. Exceptions shall be permitted only with the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences).

Withdrawal from the Programme

Where a candidate withdraws from the programme after completing the prescribed papers, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) may recommend the award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Dental Technology or determine which papers will be credited towards the diploma.

Examinations

Any paper in which a candidate is enrolled in any year shall be examined in that year.

Examinations for DTEC 501-505 shall consist of such written papers and such oral and practical examinations as the examiners may require.

A candidate who fails an examination in 5(b) may, on the recommendation of the examiners, be permitted by the Faculty to be re-examined at another time.

The Dean of Dentistry (or nominee) shall appoint a Convener of Examiners to oversee each thesis examination.

The thesis shall be assessed by at least two examiners, at least one of whom shall be external to the University.

The candidate's supervisor shall not be an examiner but may make a report on the work of the candidate for the Convener of Examiners.

Each examiner shall supply a written report on the thesis and recommend a mark and grade on the basis of the thesis as submitted, and an overall result selected from the options as specified in clause (h) below.

The examiners may recommend that a thesis:

be accepted without amendments;

be accepted subject to amendments being made at the discretion, and to the satisfaction, of the Convener of Examiners.

does not meet the criteria for the award of the degree, but may be revised and resubmitted for examination;

does not meet the criteria for the award of the degree, and should be rejected without right of resubmission.

Amendments (regulation 5(h)(ii)) and revisions (regulation 5(h)(iii)) shall be completed by a specified date to be determined by the Convener of Examiners, in accordance with established procedures.

A candidate shall be permitted to revise and resubmit a thesis for examination once only.

If a revised and resubmitted thesis is finally accepted, the result shall be either 'Pass' or 'Fail' (i.e. ungraded) and without eligibility for the award of the degree with distinction or credit.

Where examiners cannot agree on a result, the Convener of Examiners shall engage in established mediation procedures, and if unresolvable, should so report to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) or nominee who shall arrive at a decision after consulting an independent referee who should normally be external to the University.

Level of Award of the Degree

The degree may be awarded with distinction or with credit.

Variations

On the recommendation of the Faculty, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) may, in exceptional circumstances, approve a course of study which does not comply with these regulations.